It also seems that we're comparing "renting a cheap apartment" with "buying a really expensive house" in a lot of these. Around here (Plano, near Dallas,TX) you can buy a house/townhome for less than you could rent the identical property. Admittedly homeowners have higher maintenance costs, but they also get some tax breaks and are appreciating value. If your monthly housing expense is the same when buying as it would be when renting, and buying fits your lifestyle better, then why on earth would you rent?